#post_contentExploring the power of forgiveness| Harvesting Stones
I recently came across an article in my newsfeed describing several ways in which parents can help kids develop mental strength.| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentExploring the value and practice of letting go| Harvesting Stones
I’d love to be one of those serene, appropriately disciplined (as opposed to compulsive or utterly feckless) people who achieve an effective, useful, consistent morning routine. I’m not. Even during what I think of as “normal” times when my life was structured predictably by work and other obligations and activities, my morning schedule varied. Now, Stillness as An antidote to speeding and anxiety| Harvesting Stones
I'm getting ready to turn over the manuscript of my first book to a developmental editor. Getting ready means I'm doing one final read through and combing out overused words and phrases using the search (and destroy) feature in my word processor. Over the months and years I've been working with my book and mastering All the ways our culture teaches women to make themselves small| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentArguing with versus accepting what is| Harvesting Stones
I read a quote from Instagram last weekend from wetheurban: Stop looking for happiness in the same place you lost it. Ever since I read it, I’ve been turning it over in my mind. To be happy is to feel or show pleasure or contentment, according to Oxford Online Dictionary. This simple little sentence from Exploring happiness with the help of Martin Seligman; how happy is happy?| Harvesting Stones
One of the most important distinctions I’ve ever learned is the difference between thoughts and feelings. Sadly, I didn’t learn it in public school or higher education. I didn’t learn it from my family. I didn’t learn it from my culture. I didn’t learn it, in fact, until I was 50 years old. What I Separating out thoughts from our feelings; recognizing they may not reflect present reality; taking responsibility for our feeling lives without blaming others| Harvesting Stones
One of my favorite things about life is that changing one subtle thread in the pattern of our behavior and identity can change the whole picture in unexpected but beautiful ways. The overculture promises such a transformation if we buy the right product, but that’s a hollow promise. If we really want change, we have Being over-responsible for others versus being under-responsible for ourselves; learning to switch our unhealthy patterns around responsibility| Harvesting Stones
The word “respect” is jumping up and down in my life this week, hand thrust in the air, saying “me, me, me!” This post started with more from R. D. Laing’s book, Knots: "A son should respect his father. He should not have to be taught to respect his father. It is something that is Considering respect: what it looks like, what it means. Is respect the same as agreement?| Harvesting Stones
Managing expectations and recognizing how limited they are| Harvesting Stones
#post_contentDealing with the terrible burden of shame| Harvesting Stones
I’ve been thinking for some time about courage. Oxford Online Dictionary defines courage as “the ability to do something that frightens one.” As I explore definitions, articles, memes, and quotes about courage online, much of what I read seems superficial and uninspiring - nothing I want to write about. As always, I did find gold. Definition and characteristics of courage; a meditation on the complexity and difficulty of practicing courage| Harvesting Stones
When I underwent emotional intelligence training, my coach asked me the question, “Chocolate or vanilla?” over and over. Now, my partner and I use that phrase frequently as we live our life together. It always makes me smile. Life is ridiculously complicated. At other times, it’s ridiculously simple. Our experience lies in the heart of The power inherent in intentional choice; how often we abdicate that power and stay stuck and disempowered| Harvesting Stones